The premier
guide to Ice Skating in the Adirondacks featuring valuable tips and
techniques and essential information.

Tips For Better Skating

Every skate blade has
an inside and outside edge and a groove between the edges, called the flat
of the blade.

The
sole function of the flat of the blade is to glide straight forward and straight
backward. To be on the flat you must stand so that the skate is upright (blade
perpendicular to the ice). You will be gliding equally on both edges and in a
straight line.

Edges
have multiple functions.

Blade
edges are designed to cut into the ice. Because blades are rockered (have a radius)
they are also designed to curve. Therefore, edges have two functions:

To create a grip into the ice and set up the possibility for a powerful push,
and

To travel a curved
path.

The pushing
skate is the one that must grip the ice to set up a powerful push. The gliding
(directional) skate is the one that must be on a strong edge so that you can travel
tight curves. These two functions are totally separate and distinct from one another.
One skate digs in to push while the other digs in to travel a curve or circle.

Before making
the edges work to your best advantage you must first know what is, and then how
to get onto, a functional edge.

A
functional edge means that the edge engaging the ice forms a 45 degree angle to
the ice. Regardless of whether youre using the inside or outside edge, or
skating forward or backward, edges (on both the pushing skate and curving skate)
must be leaned so that the boots and blades and ankles and knees form this angle.

Remember - one
skate (i.e. left) digs in to push while the other skate (i.e. right) digs in to
travel a curve or circle. Its extremely important to learn first how to
and then practice the art of leaning your skates, ankles and knees while maintaining
excellent balance. You may take several falls in the process of mastering this,
so be sure to wear your protective hockey gear.

When
you master the edges youll be amazed at how much faster youll skate
and how much more secure youll be on the ice.

Olympic History in Lake Placid

Ice Hockey Information Lake Placid Olympic Arena is best known for
the USA Hockey upset of the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. This
game became known as the so-called “Miracle on Ice.” Since that time the Olympic
Center continues to be known as a hockey mecca hosting countless local and high
school leagues, CanAm tournaments, USA Men’s and Women’s Hockey training camps,
international events and the annual ECAC Division I Men’sChampionships. The Olympic
Center is also home for the USA Women’s Hockey National Team ( the silver medal
winners in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City) and the annual host
to NHL NY Islanders pre-season training camp.

Lake
Placid Sheffield Speed Skating Oval/Winter Rates and Information
This is where Eric Heiden made Olympic history in 1980 by capturing an unprecedented
five gold medals. The public is allowed to skate on the very same surface where
Heiden performed. Numerous national and North American races are held here yearly.

 Season: Early December to mid-March  Please
Call: 518-523-1655 for up to date information

Lake Placid Olympic Center Skating/Winter Rates and Information

 Please Call: 518-523-1655 public skating schedules  Season:
Late November - April

1) Select a flat area which is as sheltered as much as possible
from both sun and wind. Building ice over a nice lawn will make not such a nice
lawn, so it's best to pick an area that you don't mind turning yellow (more than
usual) for the first part of the spring.

2) Construct a border of wood,
such as 2x4 lumber, or use mounds of earth or snow to form a barrier and contain
the water. Flatten and compact the snow in the rink area. Make sure you leave
room for snow to be shoveled off the rink later on.

3) Sprinkle water around
the barrier first so that it becomes frozen solid. Do *not* flood. The main idea
is to create an "ice bathtub" where you can pour water without it running
away from you.

4) Then sprinkle water on the snow on the rink. An oscillating
lawn sprinkler works great and will save your hands from freezing! Put on just
enough to make a slush -- this is an important step. If you don't use enough water
then you just get ice on top of snow. If you use too much water the snow will
melt and run off.

5) Once your base has been created, water it well on
cold nights and allow it to freeze between waterings. Continue until you've got
an inch or two of flat, solid ice. Air pockets should be broken and filled with
"slush" to patch them (avoids broken ankles).

6) After the rink
has been skated on and the skaters have caused snow to form, scrape off the snow
before adding any more water.

We
invite you to visit one of the largest and most comprehensive award winning travel
networks in New York State & neighboring Vermont . Choose your visitor
guide by clicking on any one of the links below!